and now they've come for Backpage.  Can TER be far behind?

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_de2174f4-c5d6-11df-86d6-0017a4a78c22.html

The 1st ammendment has more power than a request by a couple of misguided vote mongers.  CL did not have to do anything that was requested.  They obliged.  However, protecting kids is an important thing to do.  If they are able to help keep kids off of the site, that's good.  I believe that TER has a specific role that it plays, and I have a hard time believing that a request will do much more than generate a hardy well deserved laugh.  Why ask?  If they had any real power, they'd use it at the drop of a hat.

TER, probably not.  

RS2K, however, has me concerned.  It's seriously time for them to move to a different confirmation model that doesn't involve names and towns and to burn all records of those who are already verified leaving only a unique code in place.  Something like numbers from an ID etc.

what makes you think they don't already have a secure system? I can tell you that they are WAY ahead of you

1) The fact that you have to give a name and town listed on an ID for verification is enough information for LEO to start harassing people.  Not all would, but sometimes, in an election year, etc...

2) There is no such thing as a secure system.  If the data still exists, it is vulnerable.  Not only does those who would like to harass the names on the list have significantly more sophisticated systems than you can imagine, security always comes down to access and there is no such thing as honor in this business anymore.  How many high profile cases have we seen madams etc turn over lists in plea agreements etc?

I sure hope everything was destroyed after verification.  I seem to remember something referencing that.  The name and town thing though is a weak link in what could be a very solid system.

It seems a variant of this theme comes up every few months.  You may want to voice your suggestion to Roomservice themselves or get yourself removed from their list.

http://www.theeroticreview.com/discussion_boards/viewmsg.asp?MessageID=105645&boardID=10&page=

Just my opinion, it's just a matter of time before all of these politicians jump aboard and sign on to close this also. In this current political climate, there are far too many people trying to move up the so called political ladder. This is great way for them to promote their courage to stand up against the immortality of BP and Craigslist.

Within a few years the internet will also be reformed to segregate adult sites from the mainstream. The process is already in the works and is being subsidized by the goverment with our tax dollars. I find it ironic that while the goverment and our politicians focus on removing and controlling what we can view, they are being caught in droves in child porn stings, and prostitution stings. These double talking fools don';t believe the very things that they are publicaly opposed to.

Remember Lisa Madigan and Tom Dart at election time and make sure you let them know how you feel via your vote.

is because they are offering these services right alongside the other family related services and products.  These sites are electronic flea markets offering everything from jobs and dwellings for sale or rent to used bicycles, cars, dolls, furniture etc....  BP will comply as did CL, once they have maxed out the positive publicity this media attention brings in regards to volumes of hits on their site and increased advertising income in the many other categories!

As far as TER goes..... the feds did go after a similar site about 7-8 years ago and lost the battle in court.  Other than them policing this site for illegal activity, I would not get too paranoid!

-- Modified on 9/22/2010 7:57:21 AM

It comes up every few months because it is a problem.  I would bet it is going to keep coming up as long as it remains the same.  

RS2K has more or less become the de facto standard these days.  For good reason too; they are cheap, reliable, and fast.  The service is performed very well, so from that front, I have no issues with them.

I certainly am communicating to RS2K, however, the fact this comes up every few months and we remain status quo does not inspire tremendous hope on my part.

Keep in mind that they all get a lot of money from people and businesses who do very well under the status quo. What they say is carefully targeted to get votes; what they do is carefully targeted to raise cash. While there are exceptions, they are too few to actually change anything unless something catches the public's attention, like the CL killer.

And I will not even get started on the paranoia that someone else has too much of your information and might let it out. This is the Internet - EVERYONE has your information. Get over it. Plan for what you will do when you get outed, as opposed to deluding yourself that who you are and what you do is a big secret. Hide in plain sight baby, because there is no other choice.

Guess I am grumpy today,
Zig

I think what PAF might be also suggesting is...when a topic gets worn out from redundant threads, it tends to create a hostile discussion at some point. These concerns have been voiced many times in threads, and they tend to always begin and conclude in the same manner. Your point was made many moons ago by others, and maybe TER isn't the best forum for your desired outcome?
Just a thought FWIW

They do not offer any type of appointments with any of the ladies on the site. Not that BP or CL did either but like said it was seen and used by all people of all ages which is a big concern.
I will be glad if BP decides to stop because the ladies on there rip off photos and use the reviews of girls who work hard for them.
They also offer unreal prices then rip people off or they are working with pimps or are druggies.
Not saying all of them but quite a few have these problems and that brings on LE just for those activities.
When you hear of a gir being arrestd from there it usually mentions illegal substance and shows theguy she is working with/for.

I agree I see the problem with being able to buy a puppy or an escort on the same site can be a little upsetting to a regular civilian...

just my  $0.02

Kyla Baby

This site has a specific reason for existing.  TER is not going to close down just because a request from politicians and law enforcement ask them to.  It would be a fundamental 1st ammendment issue to take it any further than simply asking.  In fact, the very reason that they only ask, is because they know damn well they cannot do anything else legally but ask.  TER is not in the same category as CL, or BP.  You have to do some research to get here.  You don't just stumble on to TER while looking for a used set of golf clubs, or a garage sale.  As far as RS2K, what is the issue?  Getting outed?  What purpose would it serve LE to do that?  LE and politicians take action for one reason: Profit and power. They can't bust you for simply belonging to RS2K, so why would they spend time and money for no profitable, or politically advantaged outcome whatsoever?  What's the end goal there?

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